Slack-adjuster.



c. B. ALEXANDER. SLACK ADJUSTER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I916.

Patented June 12, 1917p n w l I 8 NIB CLINTON B. ALEXANDER, OFWASHINGTON, DISTBICTOF COLUMBIA.

SLACK-ADJUSTER.

Application filed February 23, 1916.

[0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLIN'roN B. ALEXAN- DER, a. citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Slack-Adjusters, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to adjusters and has especial relation to meansfor adjusting the string of plumb bobs and the like.

The primary object is to provide an adj uster for this purpose by whichthe plumb bob can be shifted with one hand, leaving the other handentirely free.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which may beused upon guy ropes, ropes of sail boats or any place in which a quickadjustment of the rope or line is necessary and which will hold saidrope or line firmly in its adjusted position.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists ofperforated end members, resilient side members and a plurality ofinterlocking gripping members carried by said side members, the sidemembers forming a housing to protect the gripping members.

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a view of the improved adjuster applied to the string of aplumb bob,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the adjuster.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the adjuster in a relaxed position.

Fig. 41 is a similar section with the side members compressed,

Fig. 5 is a view of a modified form,

Fig. 6 is a view of a further modification, and

Fig. 7 is a view of still another modification.

Referring to the drawings, like characters of reference designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

In the practical embodiment of the invention, the adjuster is composedof end members 1 provided with inclined sides 2 to which are securedpreferably fiat spring side members 3. The inclined sides of the endmembers 1 extend to almost the entire length, leaving a flanged portion4E.

The heads 1 are provided with longitudinal openings 5 for the passage ofa string, cord or rope as the case may be. An inclined opening 6 formedin the heads and communicating with the opening 5 is for theSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented June '12, 1917..

Serial No. 79,971.

of substantially triangularly shaped convolutions. The members 7 aresecured between the side members 3 which forms substantially a casingand prevents bothersome entanglement of the string. They are preferablysecured to the side members by means of rivets 8.

It will be noted by reference to the drawings that the gripping membersare so po sitioned as to cause the string to be distorted out of adirect line by the several intersections of the gripping members so thata perfect grip is obtained. By reason of the triangular formation ofthese members, a positive grip is obtained upon strings or cords ofvarying diameters. This will be apparent from Fig. 4 of the drawings.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, the gripping members are made of aplurality of interlocking projections 9 provided with preferablytriangular shaped openings 10.

The modification shown in Fig. 6 is composed of a single piece of bentmetal 11, having openings 12 and 13 therein. A projection 14 is securedto the part 11 and is provided with an opening 15. A spring member 16,carrying a lug 17 and having an opening 18, provides the interlockinggripping members.

In Fig. 7 the adjuster is shown made from a single piece of bent wire,the openings for the string and the gripping members 19 being formedintegrally with the ends and resilient sides.

In the use of the device as a plummet adjuster on a transit the cord isrun through the opening 6 and knotted as shown in Fig. 2, then upward tothe transit, then threaded through the adjuster and secured to the bob.In general use as a slack adjuster an immovable object takes the placeof the iraonsit, and a movable object replaces the For convenience, eachof the end members may have openings 5 and 6 and 12 and 13 which enablesthe string to be secured to either end.

Various other forms of the invention may suggest themselves, as, forexample, the adjuster may be made with spring sides of great strengthfor gripping heavy cables, in which case a cam lever may be provided toaid in compressing the sides to release the cable.

Other changes may be made in the form and proportion of the invention asmay fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A reversible lineadjuster comprising end members each provided with a longitudinalopening and a second opening adjacent thereto, spring side membersattached to the end members and provided with complemental grippingmembers, one end of the line being adapted to be fastened in the secondopening and the other adapted to pass through the longitudinal openingand the gripping members.

2. A reversible line adjuster comprising end members each provided witha longitudinal opening and a second opening adjacent thereto, springside members at tached to the end members and provided with a pluralityoi opposed complemental gripping members, one end of the line beingadapted to be fastened in the second opening and the other adapted topass through the longitudinal opening and the gripping members.

3. A reversible line adjuster comprising end members each provided witha longitudinal opening and a second opening adjacent thereto, springside members at tached to the end members and provided with complementalgripping members, said gripping members being adapted to interlock andare formed with angular shaped openings whereby they are adapted to griplines of different diameter, one end of the line being adapted to befastened in the second opening and the other adapted to pass through thelongitudinal opening and the gripping member.

l. A line adjuster comprising end members having a longitudinal openingtherein, spring side members attached to said end members and aplurality of opposed interlocking gripping members carried by said sidemembers intermediate their ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CLINTON B. ALEXANDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

